Heat Sweeps 76ers With Ease

February 5, 1998|By IRA WINDERMAN Staff Writer

PHILADELPHIA — All in all, the Heat would rather be in Philadelphia.

Unfortunately, the season series with the 76ers is over.

Completing a sweep of the 76ers for the first time in its 10 years, the Heat led by 23 in the first half, survived some erratic moments amid the ensuing boredom, and finally closed a 98-84 victory at CoreStates Center.

``We had a lot of energy today,'' coach Pat Riley said.

The timing for improving to 4-0 against the 76ers couldn't have been better. The 76ers have lost seven in a row and are in such disarray that even franchise point guard Allen Iverson isn't safe as the Feb. 19 trading deadline approaches.

``You want to jump on them and get in their confidence,'' said Riley, whose team did just that with a 28-19 first quarter.

Having rebounded from consecutive weekend losses to Phoenix and New York with victories over Atlanta and Philadelphia, the Heat plays tonight in Milwaukee before taking three days off for the All-Star break.

``We want to end on a positive note,'' reserve swingman Dan Majerle said.

The Heat beat the 76ers over the top and around the rim. With centers Alonzo Mourning and Isaac Austin requiring constant attention, the Heat had numerous open 3-point attempts.

``We did a great job of moving the basketball,'' Mourning said.

The Heat closed 9 of 27 from beyond the arc, with Majerle 3 of 6 on 3-pointers on a 12-point night.

Of the oft-injured but productive veteran, Riley offered the words of reserve forward Keith Askins.

``As Keith said, `He's like a good port wine. Just let him sit over there and bring him out,' '' Riley said.

Said Majerle, ``There were a lot of good kick-outs from the post when they were double-teaming.''

Mourning paced the inside attack with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting and 15 rebounds. Austin, at times playing in tandem with Mourning, had 12 points and nine rebounds.

``I though we had good balance,'' Riley said.

The victory was so complete that guard Rex Walters made his Heat debut after spending his first four games anchored to the bench. A shot by Walters last season for the 76ers gave Philadelphia its lone victory in eight attempts over the Heat in the past two seasons.

``We just dug ourselves too much of a hole,'' Philadelphia power forward Derrick Coleman said. ``We were getting outhustled for loose balls. They have a lot of weapons and our rotations were messed up.''

Of the notion the 76ers quit in a 31-20 second quarter, Heat point guard Tim Hardaway said, ``That defense made 'em quit. There were no down spots.''

Hardaway, who normally dominates Iverson, this time only had to play last season's Rookie of the Year to a standoff. Hardaway finished with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting and five assists, to 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting and five assists for Iverson.

The Heat improved to 12-11 on the road and 16-3 against losing teams.

The 76ers were in such disarray in the first half that the Heat converted eight turnovers into 21 points, with a series of 3-pointers and 3-point plays. Philadelphia's first basket of the second quarter did not come until Coleman banked in a 7-foot jumper from the right wing with 4:01 to play in the half.

The constant in the 76ers' losses to the Heat has been poor shooting by Coleman and shooting guard Jimmy Jackson. Coleman, 2 of 14 in the Heat's previous visit, this time shot 5 of 13. Jackson, 1 of 9 in the Heat's previous visit, was 5 of 14.